Government cuts are to blame for Derby's problems with people abusing the former legal "high" known as Black Mamba, says city MP Chris Williamson.

The Derby Telegraph has been highlighting the problem of the drug - which leaves users in a zombie like state - for months.

Last month Derby City Council began public consultation on introducing Public Space Protection Orders which would allow police to ban people under the influence of the drug, along with people begging and causing anti-social behaviour.

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Mr Williamson has released a documentary on the problem on his YouTube and Facebook pages, said: "A lot of people got in touch about the problem of open drug taking in our city.

"Some people talked about the issue as a police and crime problem, however after speaking to police I decided that we had to look more deeply at the root causes.

"What I found really opened my eyes. I realised drug use is as much about mental health and other social issues than anything. Through speaking to people, including an ex-user, I realised that to tackle Black Mamba we need to properly fund our public services. It's easy to demonise people who take drugs so what's really behind the problem of Black Mamba on the streets of Derby?

A man outside Derby bus station suspected to be using the drug Black Mamba

"The whole question of Black Mamba is a lot more complex than a zombie invasion of Derby. As we have seen it's not so much a question of the drug, it's more an issue about the life of the user."

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He said Black Mamba is predominantly used by people who are suffering from mental health issues, rough sleepers and people in prison.

Derby North MP Chris Williamson

He added: "But of course as a result of the austerity measures brought in by the Government, public services designed to help vulnerable people, such as teachers, police, youth workers have been severely curtailed. So consequently, the ability of our public services to deal with the social problems arising from the use of Black Mamba have been severely diminished and that's why we have seen this big upsurge on the streets of Derby.

"If we can crack the problem of austerity than we maybe able to crack the problem of Black Mamba."